The question arises–”How to Water Plants While Away?” Below will show you the best DIY methods to water plants while away, including string drip method, submerged globe method, and homemade ollas method.
These plant watering tips will be useful to you if you’re about to encounter a similar issue and are looking for a solution. Keep reading.
How to Water Plants While Away?
You can quickly rig up a self-watering system for your thirstier plants before you leave using one of these three methods:
If you want to water several plants at once, Leung suggests using this technique. It should keep smaller plants happy for one to three weeks:
Best for: Watering multiple houseplants at once
Good for: 1 to 3 weeks
Materials
- A stainless steel pot or bowl
- Jute rope cut into 2- to 3-foot strips (a shoelace can also work in a pinch)
- Your plant(s)
Steps
- Water the plant(s) completely first.
- Bring the water in the pot to room temperature.
- Put the rope under the water.
- Remove the rope and bury one end of it one to two inches into the soil of your plant. A pot should be filled with the other end.
- In order for water to move from your bowl to your plant via a process known as capillary action, make sure the string is on a downward slope.
- Add additional plants and repeat. 3 to 4 smaller houseplants should fit comfortably inside your pot, depending on its size.
If you have larger plants that require more water, this hack from organic gardener Allison Vallin Kostovick should keep them happy for one to two weeks:
Best for: Large houseplants and outdoor container gardens
Good for: 1 to 2 weeks
Materials
- An empty plastic water bottle
- Scissors, a safety pin, a thumbtack, or any other sharp object
- Your plant
Steps
- First, thoroughly water the plant.
- Remove the cap from your water bottle. All around the bottle’s edge, make a few tiny holes.
- Until only the spout is visible, bury the bottle in the soil surrounding your plant. The portion with the holes ought to be below ground.
- Add water until the bottle is completely full.
- If there is space, you can use another bottle to complete this process depending on the size of the pot.
This homemade olla, a traditional ceramic irrigation tool, will hydrate thirsty garden plants for one to two weeks. Barbosa has successfully used it on her tomato plants:
Best for: Garden plants
Good for: 1 to 2 weeks
Materials
- An unglazed terra-cotta pot with its saucer (size will depend on your plants)
- Caulk or putty
- A hose or watering can
Steps
- Select the location in your garden where you want to install your self-watering device. It ought to be big enough to accommodate your pot comfortably. The soil there needs to be watered.
- Use putty, caulking, or another sealant to plug the hole in your pot.
- Create a hole big enough to accommodate your pot.
- Your empty pot should now be in the hole; fill it with dirt to secure it.
- Using a hose or watering can, top off your pot with water.
- You are now prepared to proceed. Cover your pot with its saucer. The reason this works is that the terra-cotta’s porous nature will allow the nearby plant roots to draw moisture from it More plants can be watered in a pot with a larger capacity.
The easiest way to care for plants while you are away is to do that. To take care of your plants, ask a friend, neighbor, or family member you can rely on. If they are not gardeners, be sure to explain your various plants and their unique requirements in detail. Additionally, you can label your plants so that they can quickly remember when they need to be watered.
Additional Tips
- Always give your plants a deep, thorough watering before you leave, until the soil is excessively saturated. This will enable the plant to survive without water for a while.
- Adding to this, you can cover the plant and its pot with a clear plastic bag after giving it its regular watering, just make sure the bag doesn’t touch the leaves of the plant. Stakes may be used to support it.
- Also, you must not forget to shift your container plants from full sun to indirect sun.
Top watering tips:
FAQs
Can Plants Survive Two Weeks Without Water?
Without water, seedlings can endure for about two days. Compared to mature plants, seedlings are significantly more fragile. If the soil is dry, they will start to suffer. Make sure your seedlings have a system in place if you will be gone for more than a day or two. You can buy self-watering planters made especially for seedlings.
How Long Can Seedlings Survive Without Water?
For about two days without water, seedlings can survive. Compared to mature plants, seedlings are significantly more delicate. If the soil is not moist, they will start to suffer. Make sure you have a system in place for your seedlings if you will be gone for more than a day or two. Seedling-specific self-watering planters are available to buy.
How Late Can You Water Plants?
Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system allows you to water plants in the evening. You shouldn’t water your plants with a sprinkler or hose after dark because you risk damaging their foliage.
The morning is the ideal time to water plants. It enables the water to get to your plants’ roots before evaporation sets in.
Avoid watering plants in the middle of the day because the sun will quickly evaporate the water, leaving little moisture for your plants.
How Can I Water My Plants Without Moving Them?
You can use non-draining pots, drip trays or you can water your indoor plants in a sink to avoid any mess. A self-watering pot, a watering spike, or the use of ice cubes are examples of controlled watering techniques.
Summary: How to Water Plants While Away?
All plants need water, whether you have a Snake plant or rows of Arrowhead plants in hanging baskets. To keep your plants watered while you are away, there are many useful suggestions. It doesn’t matter if you want to test your DIY prowess or purchase a self-watering planter in its place; what matters is that your plants have access to water while you’re away.
Any of these setup procedures take little time, and you can relax knowing that your plants will still be flourishing when you get back from your vacation.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best home improvement information. Thank you for reading.
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